Hyundai names Brad Arnold head of design North America

Hyundai Motor Company has appointed Bradley Arnold as Chief Designer and Head of Hyundai Design North America (HDNA), based in Irvine, California. Arnold, who served as interim design head at HDNA throughout 2025, will oversee new vehicle and concept design for Hyundai Motor in North America.

During his interim tenure, Arnold led design development across production and concept vehicles and played a central role in shaping Hyundai’s XRT off-road strategy, including the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO and the Crater Concept. The XRT programme is developed within a dedicated space at the California studio known as The Sandbox, which serves as the global design hub for future XRT model development.

Arnold first joined Hyundai in 2008, rejoined in 2016, and has contributed to projects including the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the 2023 Palisade facelift, and the Genesis GV80 Concept. Between his two stints at Hyundai, he spent five years at General Motors Design in California, where he worked on the Cadillac Elmiraj Concept and several mobility concepts.

“Brad brings clarity, courage, and a strong connection to North American customers,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group. “His leadership will be instrumental as Hyundai Design North America shapes vehicles that are both emotionally engaging and globally relevant.”

Source: Hyundai